by Mick the Ram

Apparent antisemitic attacks have been carried out on Israeli football fans in the Netherlands city of Amsterdam, leaving 5 people hospitalised and a further 30 “lightly” injured.

Supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv had travelled to the Dutch capital for a Europa League match against Ajax and were targetted after the game in seemingly organised attacks. 

The severity of the violence that has seen 62 people arrested has shocked the country with the city’s mayor telling a news conference she was aware of claims that “pro-Palestinian” supporters had carried out “hit and run” attacks and called it a “black night and a dark day” for Amsterdam.

The head of the Netherlands’ Central Jewish Committee (CJO) accused local taxi drivers of helping to whip up the violence.

Israeli airline El Al said it was operating two “rescue flights” to bring Israeli citizens home after initial plans to send in two military planes were cancelled.

Trouble had been brewing

Amsterdam is no stranger to football violence with many clashes occurring both domestically and against visiting European opposition. However, these attacks were very different and took on a far more sinister appearance, with political motivation at its core.

There had already been arrests and trouble in Dam Square ahead of the match involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters, and there were reports of supporters setting off fireworks and tearing down a Palestinian flag on a nearby street.

Hit and run attacks

After the match riot police were stretched to their limit as they tried to keep order and protect the Israeli fans from a large mob intent on violence against them, as balaclava wearing men on scooters raced around picking off groups of Israelis.

At one point there were reports that some Israelis had been “kidnapped”, but these claims have now been dismissed after those fans who were “missing” made contact with family to confirm their well-being.

PM’s promise to Netanyahu

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he had followed developments of the previous evening with horror, adding that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasised that the “perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted”.

The national co-ordinator for combating antisemitism in the Netherlands, meanwhile, said a line had been crossed and the “readiness to commit such violence was disgusting”.

Mayor calls behaviour “reprehensible”

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said authorities had earlier sought to prevent trouble by moving pro-Palestinian protesters away from the Johan Cruyff Arena, the home ground of Ajax where the game took place.

She spoke of Jewish life and culture being threatened and called the attacks “reprehensible”. Many reports indicate that most of the attackers had a Moroccan background, but the mayor was unwilling to discuss, saying only that she would not talk about ethnicity, as this would come out in the investigation that had already begun.

She did however add: “It’s against everything we’re proud of in Amsterdam. I’m very ashamed of the behaviour that was shown last night; this is nothing like Amsterdam.”

“Alarm” call for Europe

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar is heading to the Netherlands for an “urgent diplomatic visit”, after he described the incidents as “a blaring alarm call for Europe and the world”.

The minister then added: “Freedom loving countries and democracies, cannot allow unbridled hatred to roam the streets with impunity. As history has shown – what begins with persecution and violence against Jews never ends with the Jews”.

Police chief explains events

Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla said the events both before and after the match had “really shocked” him.

He explained that prior to kick-off Maccabi supporters attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire, but that was no justification for the violence that followed which he acknowledged would have caused extremely “fearful moments” for the Israeli fans.

Security stepped up

Authorities said extra police would patrol the city in coming days and security will be beefed up at Jewish institutions in the city that has a large Jewish community.

Rene de Beukelaer, chief public prosecutor, said of the 62 arrests that were made, all were male, of which two were minors and 10 remained in custody. He also admitted that antisemitic motives were being considered.